Reborn as shield hero with Garps Template

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"Master Shield Hero, what you've achieved today is truly remarkable. In the history of this country, I fear that only you could pull something like this off."

With a sly smile at the corners of his mouth, the slave trader removed his top hat, bent slightly, and bowed respectfully.

"So, you know everything, then?"

Jason stepped closer to the slave trader. Although his expression was neutral, it exuded an overwhelming sense of pressure.

"Please don't look at me with such fierce eyes. I didn't intend to intrude into your private matters. In any case, we aren't enemies; we are business partners. As a competent businessman, information is crucial—it relates directly to future financial resources. Even without actively seeking it out, I hear things."

The slave trader appeared to show humility, yet his demeanor remained unchanged, as if the weight of Jason's glare had no effect on him.

"Alright, I'll accept your explanation for now. But you didn't come here solely to discuss this, did you?"

Jason shrugged, his demeanor relaxing as if he were an ordinary person.

"Of course not, but this isn't the right place for a conversation. It would be more convenient to talk on my side."

The slave trader turned his crutch in hand and began to walk slowly into the distance.

"Master Jason, what should we do now?"

Raphtalia inquired, her past as a former slave making her wary of slave traders.

"Let's follow him and see what he's really after," Jason replied, moving to keep pace with the slave trader.

Soon they arrived at the circus-like tent of the slave trader.

After pouring two cups of good tea for Jason and Raphtalia, the slave trader suddenly turned to Raphtalia. "Master Shield Hero, she must be the little slave I sold to you back then. I never expected you'd raise her so well. Now I see why you didn't brand her with a slave mark."

"Of course, forcing someone to do things they don't want through a slave mark has always yielded poor results. How can they thrive that way?"

Jason took a sip of his tea, responding nonchalantly.

"Indeed, Master Shield Hero. Your words are profound. I find it exhilarating to be your partner."

"I appreciate the compliment."

After exchanging some business pleasantries, the slave trader once more turned his attention to Raphtalia.

"Master Shield Hero, from what you've said, it seems she would be valuable for research. How about reselling her to me? I could offer you 30 gold coins—how does that sound?"

Having previously sold Raphtalia to Jason, the slave trader now valued her at a price one hundred times greater, showcasing his wealth and power.

"Do you think I'm short on gold coins?"

Jason had no intention of selling Raphtalia; she was a priceless treasure he had nurtured to become exactly what he wanted.

"What about 60 gold coins?"

The slave trader countered, now doubling his previous offer. To him, it seemed there was nothing that couldn't be acquired with gold coins, and if he encountered something that couldn't, surely he'd have the means to acquire more.

Standing silently behind Raphtalia, she made no response.

Even though 60 gold coins could provide a person with security for a lifetime in this country, she believed Jason would never sell her.

"Let's not discuss this further. I won't sell Raphtalia. She is an extremely important member of my team. If that's all, I'll take my leave."

With that, Jason rose from his seat, prepared to exit. Raphtalia felt a deep emotion at his words; the phrase "important member" resonated within her.

"Such a pity... I respect your wishes. However, there are indeed other matters to discuss. Weren't you interested in purchasing monster eggs before? I've acquired a fresh batch. Would you like to take a look?"

The slave trader clapped his hands, and one of his underlings promptly brought forth a wooden box and placed it on the table beside him.

Hearing that the monster eggs had finally arrived, Jason couldn't help but stop and turn to look at the wooden box.

"Master Shield Hero, here is the lottery for the monster eggs you wanted. Each one costs 100 silver coins. While the price is a bit higher than other places, I guarantee that none of them are counterfeit."

The slave trader opened the lid of the wooden box to reveal several eggs, each nearly identical in appearance and size.

The monster egg lottery, as the name suggests, consisted of various monsters within these eggs, capable of hatching into anything from Filo birds to dragon riders.

As for what kinds of monsters could be hatched, that depended entirely on luck. Although it was curious that there were two types of monsters in this world, the eggs all looked the same.

It was also worth noting that the monsters that emerged from the eggs would be larvae. If one did not like a particular hatchling, it could be nurtured and sold for a small profit.

Thus, the monster egg lottery was quite popular in this country, and the slave traders had sold out in the past.

After all, no matter the world, there will always be gamblers. If a high-level magical beast hatches, such as a dragon-riding creature, the 100 silver coins spent could net a profit of 20 gold coins—a considerable gain.

"By the way, I must remind Sir Shield Hero that each egg has been enchanted with anti-peeping magic. If you're hoping to hatch dragon-riding monsters, it will all come down to your luck. So, prepare yourself for the possibility of hatching lower-tier monsters," the slave trader advised with a smile.

Although dragon-riding beasts could fetch a high price, Jason wasn't particularly interested in them. What he really wanted was a Filo.

However, the slave trader's words made Jason hesitate...

In the original story, didn't every Shield Hero inevitably obtain a Filo?

Jason hadn't fully grasped the original work, leaving him uncertain, but he vaguely remembered that aspect.

Even if that was the established setting, if he forcibly snatched away Iwatani Naofumi's Shield Hero qualifications, wouldn't that create a butterfly effect and alter the outcome?

Jason genuinely wasn't sure, so he simply asked, "How many monster eggs do you have here?"

"There are a total of 100 pieces."

Upon hearing this number from the slave trader, Jason fell into deep thought. Having extracted nearly 80 gold coins from the king, along with the earnings from selling materials before and looting the church, he had enough to purchase all these monster eggs outright.

Since he was uncertain about which monsters he might hatch, he could buy all the eggs—like buying a lottery ticket. Surely, he'd hit a win.

Even if the purchase required 100 gold coins, he still had equipment worth 200 gold coins, and the hatched monsters could be sold for profit, so it shouldn't lead to a loss.

"Ding! Please choose!"

"1. Buy all the monster eggs, resulting in a loss—nothing gained and no rewards."

"2. Buy all the monster eggs, leading to a profit, and receive a reward: the extended use of the Navy Six Style Paper art."

"Special choice: triggered after purchasing all monster eggs, active until the last monster egg hatches."

Just then, the voice of selection echoed in his mind.

"I want all the 100 eggs."

Jason spoke decisively to the slave trader, not expecting to receive a reward for making a profitable purchase. He knew better than to let such an opportunity slip by; he had faith in his own luck.

"Alright, I'll gather them for you—wait, what did you just say?"

The slave trader paused mid-sentence, his eyes widening in disbelief.

"I mean, I want all the monster eggs here. Is there a problem?"

"N-no, no! You truly are Lord Shield Hero. Your generosity is impressive! No wonder you didn't find my 60 gold coins offer appealing for buying back. To be honest, I've been in this business for many years, and I've only seen one person buy ten monster eggs at most. This is the first instance of someone purchasing all the monster eggs at once; it's a historical record!"

The slave trader's face was plastered with a fawning expression—a look Jason found somewhat distasteful.

"Alright, enough of the small talk. Let's get everything packed for me."

"Of course! It's just that with such a large quantity, I'm afraid you won't be able to carry it all at once. Would you like me to arrange for delivery?"

While speaking, the slave trader signaled his servants to begin packing the boxes containing the monster eggs.

"Sure. Let's have it sent to Lute Village. Can it be delivered by tomorrow?" Jason replied after a brief moment of contemplation.

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If you enjoy please support me on my patreon Future 80+ chapters at patreon.com/Darkphoenix11

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